Resorption phases of a hematoma
In the case of a haematoma, four different phases can usually be distinguished. A bruise is caused by bleeding under the skin, so that red blood pigment (haemoglobin) is under the skin. Immediately after the injury (usually a blunt trauma), the affected area therefore turns red due to the accumulation of haemoglobin, as it leaks from injured small blood vessels.
After about one to four days, the bruise turns purple, blue or even black. The colouring is caused on the one hand by the blood clotting and on the other hand by the fact that the blood turns darker because it is no longer supplied with oxygen and the haemoglobin is already broken down to the bile dyes. After four to seven days, the haematoma takes on a dark green colour due to the further breakdown of haemoglobin.
From the seventh day on, the colour turns yellowish-brown. During this phase, the bile pigment bilirubin is finally formed. Subsequently, the bruise fades more and more because the former blood components have been broken down and removed. Usually the bruise disappears after about 14 days.
Duration of a bruise in the knee
A bruise inside the knee should be treated, otherwise structures of the knee joint can be damaged. How long the bruise in the knee lasts therefore depends on the therapy that has been initiated. Otherwise it can be said that a bruise inside a joint lasts longer than a normal bruise under the skin, as the blood is less accessible for degradation processes.
Duration of bruising after surgery
A bruise after surgery is nothing unusual, as surgery always affects blood vessels, so that blood leaks out, which can then manifest itself as a bruise under the skin. To reduce the extent of the bruising, drains are inserted into the surgical site during the operation to drain off the wound fluid and the leaked blood so that it does not accumulate and break down under the skin. A normal bruise usually fades over a period of one to two weeks. A bruise due to an operation usually lasts for twice as long, about three to four weeks. A bruise due to surgery should be observed as it can lead to infection or other complications.
Duration of bruising of the eye
Since a bruise on the eye is usually perceived as disfiguring and often leads to rumours, those affected are usually particularly interested to know when the bruise can be expected to disappear. Unfortunately, this cannot be clearly stated, as the duration of a bruise is individual for each person. In any case, fading is not to be expected a week ago.
On average, a bruise on the eye disappears after about two to two and a half weeks. Unfortunately, for some people, however, such a bruise can last for four to six weeks. For faster fading, the bruise can be cooled and arnica ointment can be applied. These topics might also be of interest to you:
- Blue eye – what to do? – Bruise on the face
